The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-21
(AtIanta Constitution, Sept. l4.)

not cxult in any real or fancied victory. over
his opponent, nor had he one harsh or oltter
thing 10 say about the preacher VINO had SO
violently assailed him In the sacred pulpit.
The temper displayed by Mr.. Benet was so
admirable as to elicit the praise OF every one
who met him. Mr.. Bcnet completely captl-
waited every person with whom he came IN
contact, and made new friends by the score.
A proposition was made by some OF his al.
mirers to tender him a banquet If ne wouiu
consent to remain In Atlanta over night, but
this he courteously but firmly declined 10 90.
He was deeply grateful. he said, for this evil
dence of confidence and frlcndliness, but an
imperative call OF business requirsd him TO
60 10 Knoxville on the O'Clock evening
train. Mr.. Benet was pressed to make visit
to Atlanta during the Piedmont Exposition,
and he has consented so to do. He has not
yet however. decided when he can come.
WHY HE LEFT SCOTLAND.
About twenty years ago. then scarcely hav.
ing reached his majority, Mr.: Benet came
came to America from his native land. He
came not as an immigrant but tourist ana
a student. He had made friends with num-
Der Of young men from the South, VINO were
fellow Students with him In the Edinburgh
university, and they asked him 10 visit them
after his graduation; He came TO the Sonth
and visited Abbeville, S. e: His gentleman
ly manners, genial disposition and scholarly
requirements we incontinently recognized
and appreciated by that intelligent and re,
fined community. He soon became attached
to the daughter of Judge Samuel McGowan;
His suit was approved by the young lady and
her father and Miss McGowan, the belle of
of Abbevile, was married to w. G. Benett,
the brilliant young scholar from Scotland.
Mr.. Benet purchased an interest in tho AG6e.
riile Press and Banner, and was editor OF that
paper for several years. Then he disposed OF
his newspaper property and was admitted 10
the bar. Soon afterward he entered actively
Ia politics, and took a prominent part In pol
iticl cnnvnsSes of 1878 and 1880. He made his
mark US a stump speaker, and was in great
request rs q campaign orator. -FOUR years ago
his name was mentioned In connection with
the Attorney GeneralShip OF the State, but he
declined the preferred honor Last year he
was urged Ia he q candidate for Congressman
from tue Third district and consented to
make The race. His chances Of sucreSs were
excellent. when he voluntarily relinquished
the candidncy in favor Of his friend Judge
J. q. Colhran, who was trinmphantly elected
over three powerful coineeiitors. frequent
ly Mr. Bcnet has been asked to accept the
nomination for places OF honor and trust. but
lie has obdurately refused 10 accept office,
preferring TO follow his chosen profession.
WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS He?
Few young men In South Carolina stand
higher than Mr.. Benet does. He Is the Presi-
dent or the Sonth Carolina Society, which Is
composed Of the leading society. men and
professional men of the Stnte; he Is secretary
of the State Bar Association; is chairman OF
the Democratic Executive Committe Of Abbe-
Vile county; Is an honary member or a NUM-
Der OF literary soctics. He has the entree
into The best society In Charleston, Columb bia
and elsewhere In the State. His father-in-
law Is Judge Samuel McGowan, one OF the
most eminent jurists in the South, who
adorns seat on the Supreme Bench. MIR.
Bcnet's family connections are also among
the best. AS a scholar, 1t is doubtful whether
he has q superiorin the Southern States. His
abilities as philologist have been recognized
by such men MS Richard Grant White, Ed
ward s. Joyner, Geo. Frederick Holmes. His
little book on "Americanisms" Is esteemed as
~ ,@uIrN hnn hnn
commended and quoted by the best verbal
Tritics Of this country. As writer Mr.. Ien-
ct Is terSe, idlomatic nervous ana pure. his
style is stately, but not dull; crisp and spark
ling, but not light and frivolous. AS II cOntro-
versnlist IL is his boast that he never allows
himself to lose his temper or TO become
vituperativc or extensively personal, albeit
he cun flash the Damascus blade OF criticism
with The most formidable antagonist. As u
a lawyer he has high place. As religion
list, Mr.. Benet is Il high church EplscopnlIan,
and wields no incOnsderabe influence In the
ecclesiastical councils OF his State. This Is q
fair description of DR.. llawthorne's critic, and
shows what manner Of man he Is.
A SHORT TALK WITH MIR. BENET.
It was not easy for M interview to secure
an audience with the distinguished visitor,
not that he was disinclined to talk to news
paper mcn-for he Is always accessible 10
members of the press-but because he was so
beset with friends that he had scarcely mo-
ment to spare. About half an hour before
his departure from the city representative
Of the Constitution had the pleasure of a talk
with him.
81 came to Atlanta purely on q business
trip, but so overwhelmed have I been BY
my friends that have not been able to think
of business. Why, have been amazed at
the Kindness OF the Atlanta people As soon
as arrived was captured, and have been
held captive ever since. l cannot recall
pleasanter day In my life. ] am simply over
joyed At my generous reception"
did you expect TO see Dr. Hawthorne IN
Atlanta?"
mo; nor do wish to sec him."
"What's your impression Of his last Sun
days sermon. IN which he handled you so re-
lent!cssly? OF course you have read it?"
ayes, have read II, and u most remarkable
composition 1t IS. believe 1t Is unmatched
in pulpit oratory. I do not believe that any
preacher anywhere, has ever before, In his
pulpit made similar assault upon any one
I doubt whether parallel can be found.
Here minister Of the gospel dcnounces
person by name in the most vituperative
terms. However, l am convinced that the
sermon will do DR.. Hawthorne more harm
than 1t will me-"
"Is 1t your purpose to make reply to 1t,
Mr.. Benet?"
"Most assurcdly not. am heartily sick of
the whole matter. ] lam now almost ashamed
of myself for having been drawn into it,"
"But the public would like to see reply
from YOU"
of Atlanta would like to see dog night, oul
/ do not propose to be one of the dogs"
"It has been suggested that YOU bring suit
against Dr. Hawthorne for defamation OF
character. Has such a thing occurred to
"Why, no." answered Mr.. Benet laughing,
"I have not thought of such a thing"
"What about your being 'whiskey hire
lingT" queried the reporter.
"That accusation Is in accord with the other
charges in the sermon. The only time have
ever been connected with q prohibition issue
was when was employed by the Prohibi-
tlonists as q lawyer to advocate their cause.
| have never taken any position on lne q4es. res
placed me In the tegory OF antiprohibition-
lists. 1t was very ingen lous plan for him to
follow. He thereby diverts the minds OF the
nothing about the impending election Cd the
whiskey issue until read Dr. hawthorne
sermon"
"You are content to abide the verdict OF the
public, are you not, Mr.. Pcnet?'
II would gladly leave The case In the hands
of the public l would gladly submit TO the
public the Indictment l drew against DR..
Hawthorne, the testimony adduced to prove
Il committee of fair minded, impartial citi,
Zens determine what the verdict shall be.
am perfectly satisfied with my case. In fact.
| builded better than knew, as the kind as
suranccs of confidence which the citizens Of
Atlanta have shown me this day, abundant-
ly shows. But my time Is up; l must hurry
to the train"
Mr.. Bcnct took his departure on the six
O'Clock train for Knoxville. lie was accom-
panied to the railway station by score OF
friends and admirers.
atlanta Journal.
Hon. w. {. Bcnet spent Tuesday in Atlanta.
The Journal man asked:
"IIow came you first 10 print communica-
ton on DR.. Hnwthorne's speech?"
My first letter was called forth by his bit.
ter and unjust attack upon foi eigners OF
whom ] am not ashamed to be one. AS
have said before, prohibition had nothing 10
do with the matter, and has nothing TO do
with II now oycrnt in so far rs DR. Haw-